Angelic Forecast from Volcano ~ October 31, 2011

Weekly Angelic Forecast from Volcano

Straight from the Carnal Cherub himself...

Angelic Forecast ~ #165

During this pivotal week for all of humanity, a new level of POWER is Rising like the Phoenix. Consider this cosmic shower of power to be like the hammer of Thor. Know too, this vibration is up for grabs, and can be used for a good purpose or for a bad purpose.

Thus, it becomes more important than ever to claim your own personal power, and use it to better your life, and the lives of others. As well, at this time, all of your issues around power will surface.

Now is the time to clean house, rid yourself of your emotional and psychological issues, and learn how to wield your power effectively. Now is the time to bring the hammer down where needed.

In the continuing horrific drama that is the worldwide economy, look for even more surprises -- a crash here, a crash there. It is advisable at this juncture to remove your funds from any bank that is faltering.

However you can prepare for winter, do so now. Possible power outages are a real danger as was demonstrated earlier in the year by the outage in the southwest that cascaded through southern California. It is likely there will be excessive snow and ice in some areas of the country this winter, so stocking up on necessities is a wise move.

Likely during the midweek a ‘high strangeness’ event will occur. This event will be suppressed. However, there will be news leaks and exposure via the internet.

At this point in time, a band of journalist renegades will rise to more prominence. All while the current crop of TV and newspaper reporters will fade in popularity. This is because, in part, many will no longer identify with traditional newscasters.

It’s a new day and age in America proper. Every despicable tactic and psi op will be used to stop this demand for freedom and equality by the American people. The levels of violence will escalate, and the time is near where choices must be made similar to the Revolutionary War era.

Remember, Magick is now at your fingertips. Tune into the vibration, and follow your Inner Knowing. This attunement is vital to continue the new surging Renaissance, and also for creating your future.

Trendwise, this is a tricky week. Magick, Power, getting prepared for the realities of winter -- that said, everything related to becoming more magickal and more personally powerful will be what is desired. Plus, folks will be looking for everything and anything that will get them through the winter ahead.

This is a good week to make certain family, friends and good neighbors are getting prepared for the winter and the times ahead. Also, establish ways to communicate if the normal channels are down.

Angelic blessings from Volcano & Sedona
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MORE...Volcano’s Angelic Forecast for this week ~ sirenbookstrand.blogspot.com ~
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Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
~~~

Welcome to the Family

So what is it? Multiple Personality Disorder, or Multiple Pen Name Syndrome? Whichever, it’s what happens when the urge hits to you to write in multiple genres. Lots of fun for the creativity. Not so hot for sales.

I’m one of those folks who writes as the ideas strike me. I used to write science fiction and fantasy. I still knock out a fantasy story occasionally. I’ve got an entire series abandoned in my closet. Maybe I’ll go back to it some day.

For now I’ve jumped genres into paranormal romance. Same general conventions and storylines, just more emphasis on sex. However, there are a ton of subgenres, and I’ve got ideas for several of them. Therein lies the problem.

When I started writing romance, I went with traditional M/F. Then I got an idea for an M/M story. Then another M/M story hit. That spawned an idea for an M/M/F sequel. I’ve currently got notes for an M/M/M and at least three other M/Ms in a holding pattern in my head, along with about half a dozen M/Fs I really should get to at some point. Then there’s the entire M/F novel sitting in the closet awaiting rewrite. Plus the fantasy novel awaiting a chapter overhaul, but that’s another genre.

What I didn’t realize, until a publisher pointed it out to me, is that each subgenre has its own set of fans with their own tastes and expectations, and they won’t necessarily follow an author into different waters. For example, my M/F followers must have been thrown for a loop when I published my first M/M. (“What the hell is this? Where’s the woman? What are these two guys doing to each other?”) Conversely, I’ll bet the readers I picked up with my two M/Ms were confused as all get out by my M/F backlist. (“What’s he doing with a woman? Why isn’t he with the other guy?”) Can’t wait to see what the M/M/F does to both parties.

In short, I’ve splintered my readership. I’m slowly building a following, but I’ve fractured it between two subgenres. Hopping around has been a blast creatively, but it doesn’t do squat for the checkbook.

Which is why I’ve decided to go the pen name route.

I know, I know. I should have done that to start with, when I broke my M/F pattern with that first M/M. Well, better late than never. The M/M/F will be under my established name, Pat Cunningham. So will its sequel, which fortunately turned out to be M/F. Pat started as an M/F writer, and that’s where she’s going to stay. The next and subsequent M/Ms that come out of my laptop will have a different name on them. That should clear up any confusion.

This isn’t the first time I’ve done this. Those SF/F stories were published under a “P. E. Cunningham” byline. When I switched to romance I went with Pat to differentiate the genres, so anyone looking for my SF stuff wouldn’t get put off by the sex. To really confuse things, I wrote a horror story. Imagine looking for fantasy or paranormal romance from me and finding serial killers instead. Talk about alienating the readership.

So, if it all pans out, my little writing family will be growing. The first me, P.E., still writes the occasional fantasy story. My twin sister Pat writes M/F paranormal romance. Our illegitimate half-sister Jenna Wolf, who showed up unexpectedly at the door one day, writes M/M paranormal romance. Our evil half-brother, Gerald S. Parker, writes horror, and never remembers our birthday. I’ve been thinking about tailoring one of those M/Fs for Harlequin’s Nocturne line. I don’t know if they’ll require a different name or not. Cousin Dana Stewart, who also writes M/F paranormal romance, is standing by just in case.

Unless I wake up tomorrow morning and decide to start writing mysteries. Better flip through the phone book again.

Angelic Forecast from Volcano ~ October 24, 2011

Weekly Angelic Forecast from Volcano

Straight from the Carnal Cherub himself...

Angelic Forecast ~ #164

For the following week, the New Moon will signify a huge shift in human consciousness. As a ‘whole’, humanity will begin to *see* and awaken to the many ‘truths’ that have been kept hidden by the dark powers that be. One of these ‘truths’ will involve the moon and space travel.

Once this AWARENESS-SHIFT takes on steam, it will gather momentum like a steam engine racing downhill, then steam roll across the globe. The future ramifications of this major shift are varied and many-fold. An immediate result will be seen in how the Occupation movement changes direction.

Once again, the global economic crises will take center stage for part of the week. Behind the scenes there is a battle for supremacy being waged. Those who favor the full implosion of the economy versus those who want to keep the system limping along through the year, 2012.

From this point forward, opposition to the current economic policies will flare up, and bartering-trading communities will spring up like mushrooms. As well, the con artists will be out in force fleecing anyone and everyone they can. Beware!

This week there is the possibility that one of the biggest internet search engines will take a tumble. That is, some of their dirty dealings will be exposed. The plan is in motion with about a seventy percent of success.

Of key importance this week, the border war is ‘on’ between those who want to keep the sanctity of the nation, and the ‘soulless ones’ who want NO borders -- except as a means to control the population. For the immediate future this will remain a hidden war.

On a personal level, this is a time when the curtain parts, and realms unseen by most of us, come into sharper focus. Enjoy this ‘magickal’ look at another reality. More importantly, learn. For there are valuable lessons now that will serve you later -- lessons in a magickal, more natural way of living.

Also, during this season of the witch, one of the main players behind the establishment curtain will be exposed, and eliminated as a threat to humanity.

Trendwise, this week is about the powerful sexual and erotic energies swirling around us all. There will be *no* ONE way to express these bold, all-pervasive energies. Instead, a prism-like diversity will occur. Out of this vibrational onslaught a counter-culture will arise that is based on new expressions of sexuality, love and passion.

Remember, right now magick is the very air around you, the very air you breath. Inhale, savor and discover your magickal self.

Angelic blessings from Volcano & Sedona
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MORE...Volcano’s Angelic Forecast for this week ~ sirenbookstrand.blogspot.com ~
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Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
~~~

Magick: Call Forth the Thunderbeat

With the powerful forces of Halloween rising, I thought I’d share a snippet-excerpt of Kandace, my heroine, as she casts forth her magick to defeat her enemies -- thirteen evil sorceresses from another world.
~~~~~~

Chapter Twenty-Seven:
Call Forth the Thunderbeat

Kandace closed her eyes, seeking the exact words to cast her spell of destruction. Mother, I need you.

Torrents of starry energy traveled through her, as if her very blood had been transmuted. Raising their hands high, Kandace waited until the words formed before her mind’s eye.

Shrieks of triumph sliced the air toward Kandace. “Daughter of Affrony, as our slave, you will behave. The black power of our will conquers your pitiful—”

Simultaneously, Zin and Zol’s force spewed inside her as if a giant volcano erupted. Kandace floated, her force barely contained by her flesh. When her feet dangled above the loft floor, the sorceress’s chant stopped.

“Quevj.” Kandace heard her voice boom. “I call upon the four sacred winds.

“The East Wind of the Beginning.
“The South Wind of the Sowing.
“The West Wind of the Completion.
“The North Wind of the Restoration.
“Your evil is swept from this world forever.
“By the power of Good, you return never.”

Blasts of wind buffeted Kandace as the sorceresses screamed a cacophony of curses. Keeping her eyes closed, Kandace focused, then chanted, “Quevj, I call upon the precious waters.
~~~~~~

Blurb ~

Kandace doesn’t know why she’s a real witch. Despite her powers, she can’t find her bio parents. When the Tuxedo Twins tempt her with knowledge about her heritage at a charity event, Kandace agrees to dance with the mysterious Supernaturals. Unexpectedly, they are threatened by the omnipresent evil she’s been warned about in her dreams. To keep from being enslaved, Kandace brings forth her greater magick. But, to save her homeworld, she needs her hellhounds.

Zolivar and Zindale, two of Hades’ most mission-accomplished Hellhounds, see a witch sliding down the bannister after her heist of a painting. Spellbound, they know they’ve found just the right Kandy Apple to lick for Halloween. With every passion, Zin and Zol woo their chosen witch. Yet, will their Triad mate stay once she learns they can’t fall in love like humans? Or, will she return to her homeworld? Their very lives are at stake.
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SEXCERPT and Ebook available at ~ bookstrand.com/kandy-apple-and-her-hellhounds ~ NOW IN PRINT for HALLOWEEN at the usual vendors.
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Have a Magickal Season of the Witch!

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
~~~

Hello, I Love You

The question arose on a writing forum recently on how soon one should introduce the hero. First thing? Second thing? After the woman’s met the villain and thinks he’s the hero? Halfway through the book?

In any other genre the answer should be, “Whenever the story dictates.” If the story insists the hero not show up until the last paragraph of the last page, then by all means write it that way. However, whatever that story turns out to be, it probably won’t be a romance.

The conventions of the romance genre dictate a series of givens. Man and woman meet; they’re drawn to each other; complications arise; they fall in love; book ends on happily ever after. It makes sense that the story starts when the destined lovers meet. Since the focus of a romance is, well, the romance, the quicker you get your characters together, the more time you have to develop their relationship.

For mainstream or women’s fiction, where romance is a part of the story but not the focus of it, you could probably get away with delaying the hero’s intro. Dredging up my memories of See Jane Date, I believe Jane didn’t meet the man of her dreams until the final chapter. But then, See Jane Date was marketed as chick lit, not romance – and, to be fair to the plot, the man she wound up with was someone her relatives had been pushing on her since around Chapter 2, so he didn’t just pop out of nowhere. Can you imagine a Harlequin book where the love interest didn’t show up until Chapter 12? I doubt if that would go over well. You’ve only got so many words to tell your story, even if you’re writing an e-book. Let’s get those crazy kids together!

As an experiment, I checked a selection of Harlequin novels from their different lines. In each case, the latest the main characters met was the end of Chapter 1. In one book the hero showed up at the heroine’s door in the first line. Another book had a prologue introducing the hero, and had him think about the heroine, whom he’d known in the past. Chapter 1 was her intro, and he walked in at the end.

Are there any exceptions to this rule? Could there be? I’m thinking now about that hero/villain example in the first paragraph. Something tells me it can be done, but it would be wise to introduce the real hero to the reader early on, and have the heroine meet him early on as well, and have extensive contact with him so it doesn’t look like the writer pulled him out of a hat.

I’ve read at least one book where the heroine met and felt a mild attraction to what turned out to be a secondary character. Shortly after meeting him she met the real male lead and bam, that was all she wrote. When the plot involves a woman torn between two men, I suppose this could work. But is this a romance, or women’s fiction? Tough call, there. Standard romance dictates one man, one woman, storyline details their relationship. Which is what the above-referenced book depicted, after those introductory chapters.

How about threesomes and multiples? How soon should she meet all her partners? I’d say you have some leeway here. As long as she meets at least one or two of them in Chapter 1, romance expectations will be met. The rest can be slipped in as required, though I still maintain the earlier, the better. I’m working on a story now where a woman joins two men in their already-established relationship. She meets Man #1 in Chapter 1, practically on the first page. His boyfriend, Man #2, doesn’t show up until Chapter 4. However, he gets an extended intro for those four chapters, as other characters talk about him. In Chapter 3 the woman overhears him in a conversation without actually seeing him. By the time he finally makes his grand entrance (saving the woman from an attacker) she, and we, have already “met” him. Besides, she’s been spending the last three chapters forging a bond with Man #1. It’s not like she’s been sitting on her hands.

When should your romance characters meet? The bottom line: the sooner, the better. That’ll give you more story time to build the relationship, tear them apart, or indulge in hot, juicy sex scenes. Your characters will thank you for the latter, trust me.

Angelic Forecast from Volcano ~ October 17, 2011

Weekly Angelic Forecast from Volcano

Straight from the Carnal Cherub himself...

Angelic Forecast ~ #163

For the following week ‘deception’ on a grand scale will be the name of the global game. Those who own the worldwide microphone will do ALL to convince humanity ‘they’ are on our side. But, look behind the curtain, and notice the emperor has no clothes.

Now begins the Rise of the Warrioress. As we move toward the year, 2012, the inner warrioress will make herself known, and women will take on leadership roles as never before in recorded history. Most of these roles will not be establishment, but anti-establishment.

At this time, the spirit of the Amazon warrioress has arrived from the mists of that lost age to live once again on Earth. Women warriors, and those Souls who have lived previous lives as Amazon warriors, will be shifting into that mind set, and bringing it forth to the world.

Of course, ‘those’ on the dark side who control the system, will continue to present their FALSE women warriors in the hopes that they will lead us all astray. Discernment between the real warrioress and the imitator will become invaluable.

During the latter part of the week a series of rapid-fire events will occur. These mostly staged events are designed to cause humanity to fall into a state of despair. While this result will be achieved to a certain degree, in the end it will backfire in a spectacular way.

On the economic front, this week is about surprises -- the good, the bad, the ugly. More vital to us All, is the new dynamic entering the picture. This will be the renegade factor. That is, those of bold imagination are taking hold of the economic reins, and are galloping toward a new horizon.

Trendwise, this is the week of the ‘individual’. Whatever enhances someone’s individual expression will be sought after. Because of this continuing trend, the time of mass marketing is finished, but will likely die a lingering death.

Instead of fitting into society, what now occurs is a time of ‘fitting’ society to each human being. However, be aware this is a very long process, and the soulless ones will use every evil to stop it.

This week weather could be a major problem for some. As always, prepare for the worst, and be glad whenever it doesn’t happen.

Also, if you are able, offer a loving hand to someone in distress. Such love is the gateway to ALL GOOD.

Angelic blessings from Volcano & Sedona
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MORE...Volcano’s Angelic Forecast for this week ~ sirenbookstrand.blogspot.com ~
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Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
~~~

A Day in the Life

So you want to be a writer? In God’s name, why?

Here’s how my day went yesterday. I’m on my last draft of a book and I’m typing it onto my laptop for emailing. I could have just written it on the laptop to start with but Mr. Lappy doesn’t have a printer so I type on the old system, which does have a printer but isn’t compatible with any system created after 1995. “Working with stone knives and bearskins,” is how Mr. Spock put it in a Star Trek episode once. It’s a lot of extra work, I know, but I need the print draft because scribbling notes in the margins gets messy on a screen. And when I get bored I can play computer games, which isn’t productive but sure is fun.

So I’m typing my final draft, making changes as I go. Extensive changes, as it turned out. I’d type a couple hundred words, re-think the previous paragraphs, then go back and delete about half of what I typed. Then restructure the remaining sentences. Then go play computer Solitaire for awhile.

This is my third draft. I should be able to just type the thing into the system without all this reworking. It should be polished at this point. Why didn’t I just write it correctly the first time?

Well, it’ll all be over soon. The book should be on its way to the publisher by some time next week. Unless I rewrite the ending again. I’ll probably do a final pass on the sex scenes. You can never have too many sensory details, but you can have too many adverbs. Many games of Solitaire later, it will finally be finished and out of my hands.

After that … I’ll probably just dive into the next one and sweat buckets of blood all over again.

Why do I do this to myself? It can’t be for the money. At this point in my career, I could probably make a lot more panhandling, and my income would be tax-free to boot. I do this because, painful as it gets sometimes, it would be even more painful to stop. I need to tell stories, and I’m egotistical enough to want to share. It’s a compulsion, like banging your head against a wall.

Sounds like a fun life, doesn’t it?

Then there are the perks: you make your own hours, you can work in bed with a cup of hot tea, and you can type in your ratty pajamas or even in your undies if you feel like it (or nekkid if nobody’s looking). You don’t have to look busy when the boss stalks by or put up with coworkers stealing your lunch from the fridge. You stare at a screen and make up stuff and, if the planets correctly align, you get paid for it. Does that sound like the coolest job in the world or what? Except for the rewriting part.

I should just scrap this whole thing and write a whole other post. And you want to be a writer? Good luck.

Angelic Forecast from Volcano ~ October 10, 2011

Weekly Angelic Forecast from Volcano

Straight from the Carnal Cherub himself...

Angelic Forecast ~ #161

For the following week, and the next six weeks, two dynamics will rule our world. The desire for freedom versus ‘those’ of evil fascist intent will reign. And, preparing for what is to come takes center stage, because many now sense the catastrophes that are around the corner.

This will be a complex week where events on the world stage will be difficult to follow, and ‘not’ only because the waters will be muddied by the efforts of Big Brother/Big Sis. Despite this effort, the corrupt leadership is about to be challenged in a way that ‘could’ topple the current regime, or bring it to its knees.

However, there are ‘also’ plans in place to halt this from occurring, and make the powers-that-be look like saviors. Should these plans be actualized within the next month, turmoil will reach new heights, along with violence.

At this time, the ancient megalithic sites, Stonehenge and other on-the-grid sites across the globe, are in the process of reactivating as centers of power. This is due to the current rise in cosmic energies, to the energy storms on the sun, and also due to the intervention of humanity’s extraterrestrial brethren.

Because of this reactivation, there will soon be a mass AWAKENING around the ancient magickal and shamanic ways. The time of true magick joined with Aquarian enlightenment is just around the corner, as has been spoken about in previous forecasts.

One way the soulless ones are countering this newly activated knowledge is by continuing to manipulate the material world, so that more of humanity is trapped in the depths of poverty. However, the belief in fiat currency, otherwise known as money, is about to collapse worldwide.

Once it is realized that abundance is based on how we relate to each other, and how we form our communities -- as opposed to a monetary system -- the faster humanity as a whole, and individuals, will create a Renaissance of prosperity.

On a personal level, this week is fabulous for romance and for being inspired by new romantic ideas. The best option, is to use romance to show your beloved how much you love and care for them.

Trendwise, it will become obvious to those who have an affinity for animals that a new level of communication is now possible. Many animals, pets and those who live wild, want to form a deeper connection with humans, one that brings about a community-like understanding -- a way of working with each other that benefits ALL.

Keep your center this week. It is crucial to you and your loved ones.

Angelic blessings from Volcano & Sedona
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MORE...Volcano’s Angelic Forecast for this week ~ sirenbookstrand.blogspot.com ~
~~~~~~

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
~~~

Kandy Apple and Her Hellhounds ~ Now In Print for Halloween ~

It is the season of the witch, the season for my shapeshifting hellhounds, Zin and Zol.

Halloween is already reaching out with foggy entrapping tendrils. Yes, I can feel it, which is one reason I wrote my witch erotic romance, Kandy Apple and Her Hellhounds, and currently have several Samhain-inspired WIPs.

My love affair with witches began with Samantha from the original TV series, Bewitched. Oh yes, I coveted her powers. After all, what fun-excitement that would be! A snap of your fingers and your room is clean, the chores done. A twitch of your nose and there’s the dress of your dreams.

You could right every wrong. Help others. Oh, the power was a heady fantasy.

However, more than her witchly magick, I simply adored who the character, Samantha, was as a woman -- the exception being whenever she cowtowed to her husband, typical for that time period.

And, yes, I even learned how to twitch my nose. Of course, not nearly as wonderfully as the actress, Elizabeth Montgomery, who played the beautiful real witch.

To be honest, despite all the Halloween ad hype I grew up with as a kid in the fifties -- where witches were portrayed as ugly evil creatures, often covered by warts because they handled frogs -- ya know what, I never bought into that view of witches.

I thought it was kinda ridiculous. Silly, even boring. No, some part of me never did believe or get onboard with that horror-spooky, broomstick ride. The only witch who ever spooked me as a kid was the Wicked Witch of the West in the “Wizard of Oz”.

Once the ‘beautiful witch’ arrived on the cultural scene... then when I learned about witches as women of the craft -- women who performed magickal rituals in accordance with nature to bring about a desired result -- well, I tingled. I resonated. And, I knew.

In that deep still part of me I knew, and that’s what rang true.

So, of course, it became irresistible -- the urge to write my own real witch heroine, my Kandy Apple. Yes, that’s her nickname, especially around Halloween. She adores wearing red, and has a riotous mane of red hair.
~~~

Here’s the scene where Kandace meets the Hellhounds, Zin and Zol.

Excerpt ~

Determined to ignore the heebie-jeebies, she gave her hair a toss. Kandace knew they weren’t fully human. What they were, she hadn’t discovered, so far. She stayed out of their social orbit and kept her distance.

Oh, she’d made discreet inquiries, all right. However, whoever she gabbed with would end up smirking, then give her that knowing look. Yeah, right, she wanted to jump the twins’ Remington Steele-elegant bones.

Okay, true, the old TV show, starring Pierce Brosnan, remained one of her guilty pleasures. Kandace dipped her tongue tip in her drink, scooping out a taste. Maybe if she knew what freakin’ dimension, planet, whatever, the Alien Tuxedo Twins hailed from she’d be interested in one of them. Maybe.

The only reason she inquired about the women in their lives was so she could politely interrogate them. However, Zol and Zin, as they were known, had been exceptionally discreet in their conquests. It’d been like pulling hen’s teeth with slick pliers—still, Kandace had gathered five names.

She’d made it a priority to speak with those women. Not one of them revealed anything of any consequence, and the dreamy smiles on their faces had quickly become too annoying. Even when she’d performed a gentle exploration of the women’s minds—nothing, except the sound of satisfied moans. Whoever the two peas in a pod were, they had the ability to keep an individual’s memory shielded, or some power she didn’t comprehend.

As Kandace admitted to whoever asked, she considered Zol and Zin to be living works of art. Whenever she caught sight of them at various artists’ events, a swoony thrill always raced her heart. Yep, fantastic to look at and admire, but that’s all.

Now, though, she had a whole new problem, other than keeping herself safe from the roaming security teams. The Alien Tuxedo Twins had been able to see her, despite her invisibility shield.

True, they didn’t seem overly eager to make her aware they knew about her witchy ability. Still, who the hell were they? What were they?

And did she need to be afraid of them?

To that end, Kandace sauntered ever closer.

“Might as well face the bad guys, if they are, and get it over with.” She whispered the words against the rim of her glass. Taking a sip, Kandace decided against an exploratory thought-form.

If they could see past her magic, they could probably stop her psi search of their minds, and would know she was onto their paranormal abilities.

Kandace strolled before some artist’s attempt to fuse Picasso’s style with the voluptuous fantasy art of Boris Vallejo. Blinking several times, she stared at the horror of high strangeness.

The twin wearing the evening suit sidled next to her as if he merely examined the painting.
“Definitely not my cup of artistic tea,” she commented. “What do you think?”

“I think I’d rather get to know a spooky little girl like you.”

Kandace jumped inside, startled by his bold come-on. “Spooky. Isn’t that a song lyric?”
From the corner of her eye, she watched the other twin join them. Uh-oh, she’d just become the filling for a man sandwich. At least, they appeared to be men, given those high-rise bulges they both sported.

For her?

Certainly, they smelled like real men. Despite the expensive cologne that clung subtly to both of them, their virility slammed into her nostrils and reminded her a bit of her uncle’s Rottweiler dogs.

Damn! No wonder some women fell in a drooling heap at their well-shod feet.

Kandace tipped up a large swallow of her drink. Her throat had suddenly become a desert, and her traitorous hormones began to beg.

Okay, she was a witch. She could handle this. Whatever this exactly was.

“Yes, it is a song lyric. Shall I sing the tune for you?”

Mr. Evening Suit asked in the smoothest yet sexiest voice she’d heard since Cary Grant. Kandace knew because her sister had watched all of the suave actor’s movies during her girlhood crush on him.

Intrigued by what he would actually do, Kandace flirtatiously angled her shoulders toward him. “Please.”

“In the cool of the evening,” he crooned, “when everything is getting kind of groovy, I call you up and ask you if you want to go and see a movie.”

Geez and tease her, Mr. Evening Suit’s sun-bronzed features were classically handsome, even more so, up this close and personal. Kandace avoided looking at his slightly wavy dark hair, perfectly groomed, of course. She had a thing when it came to a man’s hair. She wanted to wildly run her fingers through and not stop.

“First you say no,” the other twin sang, smooth as velvet, “you've got some plans for the night, and then you stop, and say, all right.”

Kandace did make a tactical error, though. She met his gaze, instantly losing herself in his coffee-colored eyes, illumined by flame. So it appeared.

“Love is kinda crazy with a spooky little girl like you,” they sang in stereo.

Feeling halfway seduced, Kandace saluted with her glass. “That’s good. But a girl can only take so much from a pair of womanizers like you.”

“Womanizer?” the Tuxedo Twin inquired. “Do you mean as in a libertine or wolf?”

“Exactly. Quaint reference, libertine. You two aren’t time travelers, are you?” Kandace hoped her voice sounded lighthearted, joking. It was hard to tell, given their mighty testosterone effect on her.

For a brief moment, they glanced at each other, easy to do since they towered above her. Tiny golden vibrations emanated from their foreheads and Kandace wondered exactly how telepathic they were.

“We’re not time travelers by common definition,” the evening suit twin answered.

“But, you do travel through time,” Kandace persisted. Why not? If they knew about her, why shouldn’t she know about them?

She took a nervous sip, but hardly tasted her drink.

Again, the twins trained their gazes on each other for a bare instant.

“We have. However, not by our own power, little witch.” Mr. Tuxedo’s sexy croon had her shifting toward him.

“Witch. You say that as if you believe I am an actual witch.”

Probably not smart, calling them out so soon, especially when I’m sandwiched between them. And just how did they time travel? Kandace frowned mentally.

“You are.” They spoke as one, freaking her out and tingling her spine. It felt like a tray of ice cubes slid down it.
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Blurb ~

Kandace doesn’t know why she’s a real witch. Despite her powers, she can’t find her bio parents. When the Tuxedo Twins tempt her with knowledge about her heritage at a charity event, Kandace agrees to dance with the mysterious Supernaturals. Unexpectedly, they are threatened by the omnipresent evil she’s been warned about in her dreams. To keep from being enslaved, Kandace brings forth her greater magick. But, to save her homeworld, she needs her hellhounds.

Zolivar and Zindale, two of Hades’ most mission-accomplished Hellhounds, see a witch sliding down the bannister after her heist of a painting. Spellbound, they know they’ve found just the right Kandy Apple to lick for Halloween. With every passion, Zin and Zol woo their chosen witch. Yet, will their Triad mate stay once she learns they can’t fall in love like humans? Or, will she return to her homeworld? Their very lives are at stake.
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Available at ~ bookstrand.com/kandy-apple-and-her-hellhounds ~ and the usual ebook and print vendors.
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Have a Magickal Witchy October!

Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
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RIP Castiel

I guess it’s as official as fiction can get: according to the producers of Supernatural, Castiel, the boys’ angel buddy, has indeed walked off into the sunset – or, in this case, into the city reservoir – and out of the story and off the show. Even though he’s become a fan favorite since his introduction three years ago, even though the actor who portrays him, Misha Collins, is a huge draw at cons and on Twitter, Castiel’s story is over and done and the character is apparently kaput. Guess nobody’s job is safe in this economy, not even an angel’s.

As much as I’ll miss him, as a writer I can understand why he had to go. The storyline he was brought in for wrapped up in Season 5. Season 7 just kicked off and he was still hanging around. He even became God for a while. Not bad for a character who was slated to die after about four-five episodes.

This happens in writing a lot. Sometimes a walk-on character just takes off on you. All you can do is tag along and watch what happens.

What happened was on-screen magic, when it worked. When it didn’t … well, those of us who remember the train wreck that was Deanna Troy’s characterization on Star Trek: The Next Generation know how bad it can get. It’s like having Superman in the Justice League. Superman can do anything. If you’ve got him, you really don’t need the rest of the Justice League. If you had Cas to solve all the monster problems, you really didn’t need Sam and Dean.

There are only so many things you can do with an angel once you’ve stopped the Apocalypse. Depower him (they did that, but restored him), use him as comedy relief (unfair to the character), use him sparingly (which they did, and the fans squawked), give him a storyline worthy of the character (at the expense of the stars of the show), or admit his story’s told, and let him go.

This problem is easier to cope with in a novel. If a character starts to take over the story, maybe he or she doesn’t belong there to begin with. Maybe they should have their own story. A lot of them get their own story; this is how a trilogy or a series starts. I had the same thing happen with my “Cas” character in Belonging. He started out with a cameo, a little in-joke to myself. Then I put him in the sequel, where he ended up with a bigger role than I’d planned on. As soon as I get the sequel out in the mail, I’m starting work on his story.

And when that’s over, that’s it. He and his girlfriend (yeah, it’s M/F; sorry, Destiel fans) will go off and have a life together that doesn’t need to be chronicled. Unless I write another sequel, but that doesn’t seem likely at this point. Their story’s done. Time to move on.

Personally, I don’t think Castiel’s quite finished yet. After all, we never saw a body, and anyone who reads comic books knows what that means. People die on that show all the time and come back. Cas himself has died twice already. I’m hoping Supernatural’s writers will bring him back in the second half of the season, so he can clean up the mess he inadvertently started, and then give him the send-off he deserves. And a hug from Dean. I’ve waited three years. I want my big, fierce, brotherly Dean-and-Cas man hug, dammit!

Yeah, it’s only a TV show. And the book you’re working on is only words on paper. We all know better. These are our babies. We create them, and if we’re lucky they develop a life and storyline of their own. They’ll tell us when it’s over. When the moment comes, you wave good-bye, wipe away the tears, then start a new file or get out a fresh notebook and give birth all over again. It’s the cycle of writing and the cycle of life, and it’s been working out okay since mankind first drew the story of the hunt on a cave wall. I’m sure Castiel would approve.

Angelic Forecast from Volcano ~ October 3, 2011

Weekly Angelic Forecast from Volcano

Straight from the Carnal Cherub himself...

Angelic Forecast ~ #161

For the following week, a strange chaos of events is likely to occur across the planet. This will be in the political and social arena, involve the war theaters -- and also include UFO sightings, and related paranormal experiences.

As well, there are stranger and stranger events on the horizon. For, what has been called paranormal phenomena has arrived full force, and will infiltrate what has been called ‘reality’ by modern-day western culture.

The major theme for this week is everything ECONOMIC. Once again, this will have two main faces, but many differing aspects. With the rise of the renegade as part of the AWAKENING, all forms of corruption and enslavement will be challenged.

At the same time, the brutal money monopoly that has been placed over humanity, worldwide, is being tightened, and a militaristic regime is being introduced incrementally. Any manner of catastrophe, natural or not, will be used as an excuse to implement this ‘papers, please’ regime.

There is an interesting dichotomy occurring at this moment in history. Fear as the great controller of populations is being used and heightened to the ‘nth’ degree by the corrupt powers that be. Simultaneously, FEAR is losing it’s grip on many who see through the constant, intense manipulation. Thus, ‘fear’ is now fueling a great opposition against those who wield it like a horrific weapon.

On a personal level this week, and for the month of October, know action-packed days are likely ahead. This means much can and will be accomplished. However, you must seek times of rest or risk becoming burned out. This month is also a wonderful period of time to establish enduring relationships.

From this point forward, the Aquarian desire for true freedom and the ancient ‘magick’ of Arthurian legend, will join hands. This will be for the purpose of liberating humanity, and bringing forth the divine race. That is, our highest selves now emerge, and we become who we truly are spiritually.

Trendwise, love is in the autumn air. Now is the perfect time to enjoy all aspects of love. Also, romantic love is taking on a new life -- leaping to a higher level of expression. This is because a new vision is emerging, one that is being reflected in romance novels, and other creative, artistic endeavors.

It becomes more and more important to watch your backside, and to watch over those you care the most for -- all the ‘beloveds’ in your life.

Angelic blessings from Volcano & Sedona
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MORE...Volcano’s Angelic Forecast for this week ~ sirenbookstrand.blogspot.com ~
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Savanna

Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
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